Funny Food

I love the idea of bento boxes, but I think my kids are still too picky. Still, I've been trying to arrange their food in cute ways, to cut down on all the pre-eating fussing. I only use foods that they will actually eat, and I'm still careful about which things touch. And, L is quite delighted. (J  doesn't need motivation to eat.)  Here are some of our recent hits:

PB house, with broccoli tree, and a little dressing pond.

Egg Clock with sliced hard boiled eggs and cheese hands.

Sugar snap pea smile with PB hearts

(from cookie cutters - my lunch plate was less pretty with all of the scraps)

scrambled egg squares

Pureed bean chili (so there are no chunks),

with corn chips, cheese, and spoon.

They actually ate the chili, so this was a win.

PB butterfly, with cheese stick and sunflower seeds for eyes.  

I should have realized this would require a side dish of sunflower seeds.

Rice balls!  I said they were bird eggs, 

and the one who eats lettuce also got a nest.  

These are filled with peas and carrots, 

and I honestly can't believe how well the kids eat them. 

 

regular food, just arranged decoratively.  L wasn't happy

with it just being pretty, she wanted it to BE something.

She rearranged hers into a flower.

Flowers

On our first day of school, we started a nature journal with pictures and pressed flowers that we had been collecting all summer in our yard.  L loved seeing the flowers again and remembering when we got them.  She really loved the glue.  She loved making a book to show John.  She loved finding the flowers in our golden guide.  Overall, L is kind of crazy about school, and insists on calling me teacher.

BUT - I realized on our second day of school that I don't have enough activities planned.  She wants every day to be as project-filled as the first, and most days I don't have that much planned.  So I'm trying to find more activities and resources, while still keeping it very simple for my over-scheduled fall.  So far, I've realized that keeping it simple works just fine, and we're having a blast.  We're still usually finished by 10am  So here are a couple things I added this week:

1.  Paper Flowers  L can't get enough of gluing right now.  So, using our pictures in our journal, I started cutting out the shapes of flowers and all their parts from construction paper (and tissue, wrapping and art paper I had lying around).  Then she glued them on to the paper.  We talked about the different shapes, colors and textures of all the parts as we put them together. Once they were all glued, I had her write the names of each part on the paper.  (To clarify: she can't actually read all of these words, but she knows the letters and we sound them out as we write.)

I felt like she learned so many things in this simple activity that we made up on the spot.  Gluing and writing, identify parts, noticing what is different, and learning about specific flowers.  We had so much fun making them and they turned out so pretty!  This was definitely my favorite part of the week.

2. Math Readiness - I was wondering if I should try to do more with math - since I have no background in education I'm often clueless.  A quick stop at the library did the trick.  I absolutely love Creative Math/Art Activities which was written in the 80's and geared towards teachers.  The opening chapter introduces math readiness - becoming aware of opposites and measurements - and how they help students when they begin more formal math.  That makes sense!  The chapters are divided by grades, and they are so many cool projects and fun illustrations - I may actually need to buy this book. 

So, we did a project from the book.  First a nature walk, collecting bits of grass, leaves, and flowers.  Then we glued (score!) the long ones on the left, and the short ones on the right.  It was fun to talk and compare each item.  She already seems to have a handle on long and short, but it was good to talk it out and make a game of it.  I think it will be easy to come up with an activity like this that goes with our theme each week. 

I'll try not to go on about our preschool too much - although I always appreciate the ideas and resources you have to share (see those comments below, nudge, nudge).  I tend to focus in one thing at the expense of others sometime - and this week I've neglected my sewing.  Here's to the weekend!

Pink Dog: a toymaker's confession

Of all my daugther's toys, many handmade and specially designed for her, made from my favorite fabrics and cute little trims - this is her favorite toy.

Pink Dog

She loves all the animals and dolls I've made her, in all seriousness.  But this is the one she carries around, takes to the grocery store, and snuggles with at night.  This pink and white dog, given by a kind co-worker and promptly named Pink Dog.  Sigh.  I can admit it.

I'm jealous.

I wish she loved one of my toys the best.  Yet, it isn't just Pink Dog, L has somehow developed a bit of a dog collection.  It started with John's hand-me-down Bernard.  But it really began when we saw some dog movies: Milo and Otis, Mist, and, well, okay, Hotel for Dogs, and she was given Pink Dog.  Later, when I was sick John got them each a sheep dog from the drug store (each named for the movie: Mist).  Then another co-worker gave them dogs. And there were yard sales, bribery, and grandparents involved.  Now her dog collection looks like this:

Top Row: Coffee Mug, Black and White Dog, Bernard, Pink Dog, Mist, Baby Blue Dog;
Bottom Row: Teacup, Clifford, Grey and White Dog, Hound Dog, Coffee, Biscuit)

At one point, I thought I would just have to design the perfect dog to trump all other dogs.  But now I realize there are too many kinds of dogs, and she's too invested in the community of dogs, and Pink Dog in particular.  We've had dog birthday parties, and made Dog Hotels.  There was the official Dog Meeting, and many dog bedtime stories.  They each have names (some cute, some unconventionally descriptive) and special memories.  I don't love the idea of her collecting every cute factory-made dog in the world, or collecting anything at this age.  But here we are.  It's too late.  She loves them.

And now I do, too.

Because every day I see how fiercely she remembers and cares for them.  You may have to teach children how to talk kindly, share toys, and ask nicely.  But you don't have to teach them how to love.  It will need some guiding and expanding over the years, I'm sure.  But the urge is already there, and that's a beautiful thing.

NOW.  Let me introduce you to J's favorite toy.  She calls her Pink Dog.

J's Pink Dog

Figuring out Homeschooling

We're starting back to school today, and I wanted to follow up on my last preschool post to clarify where I am with homeschooling.

First, I'm not 100% committed to it, yet.  We're sort of playing preschool, so that I can get a feel for lesson planning, time management, and teaching.  Next year, Lou will be kindergarten age, and we'll have to make some more serious decisions then.  Even still, one mom said she takes it one year at a time, each year evaluating what education format works best for her family, and being willing to make changes next year.  I'm going to adopt this thinking, because it means never being trapped, and always being open to whatever works best for our family. 

Now, if you're in my shoes (i.e. you have no experience with homeschooling, but want to give it a try), you've probably already talked to home schoolers, which means you've heard about million different methods, curricula, and the daunting proclamation, "It can be whatever you want!"  People with experience love to say this, but it isn't much help to those of us who have no idea how to get started.  And if you feel like you need structure, its a little frightening. 

So if you need a place to start, here's what I recommend:

1.  Read a book/article about Charlotte Mason. I read this one by Catherine Levison because our library had it, but there are tons.  This will help you understand who Charlotte Mason is (an early classical educator) and how to apply her methods at home.  Most families I know use Mason's methods or Mason combined with something else (like Montessori or Waldorf).  You don't have to use her, of course, but if you need a picture of what homeschooling looks like, this is a great place to start.

2.  Read Charlotte Mason or somebody.  You don't have to read all of her books at once, but start reading some. You can find a set at the library, or find it online here.  Or if you're interested in a different method start reading about those. 

3.  Join a homeschooling group, whether a yahoo group, or a local co-op, or both!  Getting plugged into a group is great for several reasons.  You can see others in actions, hear there thoughts about various curricula, age groups, and other challenges.  You can figure out which style you like best.  Email groups are great, because you can start observe before your kids are old enough to participate.  I'm excited and nervous about joining a co-op this year - we'll see how it goes.  

4.  Start collecting information.  When you hear someone rave about a math book they love, or if you have an idea for health class years from now, write it down.  You'll collect tons of information like this, and you won't be ready to use most of it.  Just start a list (mine is by age group, with subcategories for subjects) and the information will be there when you need it.  Keep it in a paper file, a spread sheet, or whatever works.

One mother recommended starting a google site (keep it private) where you can archive your lesson plans, links, and other resources.  What a great idea!  I started one last week (oh, distractions) with the two units I've planned.  No html required, it's all formatted for you, and you customize and add each page as you want.  In a couple of years, when J is ready to do what L has already done, it will be there all laid out.  And as the kids get older, they can learn to navigate the site to check on homework assignments and calendars, or whatever.  I'm already digging it. 

There are so many free resources online, for lesson planning, reviewing curricula, buying it, forums for asking questions.  It's too much information, sometimes.  Just start file things away, with clear labels so you can find it when you need it.

5.  Just start. I really don't know how my preschool plans compare to other peoples.  I'll probably start comparing too much eventually, so I'll just save that for later.  Right now just starting, just doing something at home with my kids helps me gauge what I can do, what they enjoy, how it works.  And once you get started you begin to understand how flexible and full of potential homeschooling is, and how it can really be whatever you want.  

Good luck!

Garden Stock

Every summer, I have grand visions of growing tons of food and canning it for the winter.  The reality is that my seedlings all dried up, and I'm still forgetting to water the tomatoes.  Nevertheless, I usually manage to learn a little every year.  This year, my great triumph was garlic.  My bulbs grew beautifully, I probably harvested them a little early, but I figured better safe than sorry.  Next year, I want to try my new love: acorn squash.  :)

Using stuff from my garden, a friend's CSA and our regular grocery veggies, I did make a pretty nice stock this summer.  This is a good guide.  Canning was more than I was prepared for this year (ah, yet again), so I froze mine in ice cubes. Once they're frozen, pop them out and put them in baggies. Super easy!

Arts in the Alley

 If you're local, there's another Arts in the Alley this Thursday in the alley next to Besso's. I'm having a bit of clearance sale on my plush toys. Whose idea was it to make a bunch of large crocodiles in my tiny studio, anyway?

Doughnuts, gob style

I've been experimenting with the Artisan Bread in 5 minutes A Day book all summer.  The texture of the bread, and the rise all work out so beautifully.  I still seem to be struggling a bit with getting the same yeasty flavor, but I'm persevering because this method is so so practical.

I was reading my old Beard on Bread the other day looking for a doughnut recipe because my kids are really into doughnuts right now.  I noticed the recipe for Dough Gobs, which is essentially fried bread dough.  He says traditionally mothers would take a bit of the dough they had left to rise over night, fry it and serve it with maple syrup for breakfast.  I love the old-timey practicality of this and though it would work nicely with the 5 Minutes dough made from their master recipe that I already had in the refrigerator. 

These are half wheat and rolled in powdered sugar.  I fried mine in coconut oil, partially because I love the sweet flavor of it, and partially to make myself not feel so bad about serving my kids fried bread for breakfast.  I thought they turned out excellent, and went nicely with strawberries.  I see lots of serving variations in my future (cinnammon, chocolate, raspberry sauce?)   Plus, I like that I can serve them to my vegan friends, too, because they're nice to have around.

Hmm, I think I'm going to go make some now...

Science-y Preschool Stuff (spoiler alert)

We finished our letter-a-week series this summer.  L really enjoyed school time, but my enthusiasm kind of petered out in the summer.  We took some time off for summer, but since this fall is going to be so busy, I really want to make school time with my kids a priority.  I'm eager to get back into a little morning home school routine.  (Who knew I needed routine so much?) 

I'm going to take advantage of some of the great ideas by others in the craft community.  We'll focus on natural science and art activities, but I'm also excited to start working on reading using Bob Books.  With the heat, we've stayed indoors this summer, so I plan to do plenty of outside projects in the fall.

Below is a loose plan of what we're doing this fall (I may not get to all of it).  Most of the crafty links come via Crafty Crow, projects in red are from Preschool Art,  and I'll be using my Nature Walk coloring pages as they relate to what we're doing.  I've also been using a lot of constructive play ideas from The Creative Family.    I have enough ideas to do 1 or 2 projects each week, with daily reading, coloring, and constructive play time.  I have no idea if this is an ambitious or lazy plan, so we'll see how it goes.  And this is a total spoiler for blog posts in the months ahead. :)

August/September: Bugs and Plants 

• Identify and frame the pressed flowers we collected this year 
• Set up a permanent Nature Shelf 
• Butterfly life cycle coloring page
• Observe at our Butterfly Feeder,
• then create a Paper Butterfly collection 
• Make Rock Bugs 
• Plant small plants for gifts 
• Make Leaf Pictures 
• Nature Walk coloring pages of bugs and plants

October: Light and Time

• Make Sunbonnets, p. 193
• Make a Sunflower Sun Dial to show how the sun relates to time
• This awesome Hour glass project to talk about measuring time 
• Draw Shadows, p. 235 
• Make Sand Candles to light at dinner
• Make Tin Can Lanterns to enjoy all fall
• Stargazing with Constellation Cards 
• Negative Space Drawings, p. 100

November: Water and Wind

• Solids, Liquids, and Gases coloring page and game, by me 
• Brick Making and Building, p. 244 - 245
• Peanut Butter Play Dough, p. 46
• Paper Boats from Whip up Action pack 
• Baths and Washing Harry the Dirty Dog 
• A found object Wind Chime 
• Making wind visible with Giant Bubbles 
• Paper Bag Kite, p. 251

December: Colors and the holidays

• Reading with Scrappy Collage Letters 
• Mostly for me, because I love Thaumatropes 
• Probably dangerous, but Homemade finger paint 
• Weave with yarn and fabric scraps,  p. 88 
• Make gifts and thank you cards
• Give away some of our excess toys

What do you do with your preschoolers at home?

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

I always think I'll have more time in the summer than usual, but somehow the time still fills up with lots of stuff.  We did a fair amount of summery things, of course.  Like:

bird watching

looking up bugs in our Golden Guides

adopting yet another kitten

baking bread

and finishing the alphabet.

I wanted to devote plenty of time to sewing for my book, which I was able to do.  But also, I wanted to just be with my family and spend a little time reflecting on the whirlwind year we've had with some very big ups and downs.  Its always nice to slow down sometimes and clear a little space in your head.

But NOW, I'm excited about the fall and a regular schedule again. We Wilsons have a lot going on this fall: I may be working part time, approaching some deadlines for my book, and if all works out as planned, we'll be building our house and moving in the fall!  Doesn't this look like a lovely house spot at the end of a long driveway?  I think so.  :)

 

So now I'm battling the distraction of all the lovely design websites and imagining the way I'll set up the furniture in my new studio.  My theme this fall:  time management!  What are you looking forward to this fall?

Glazed Acorn Squash with Onions

Hello, friends!

This summer my newest love is Squash. Yes, who knew? You did, I guess, but not me. I was a picky eater as a kid, so certain vegetables are only just entering my diet. We picked up a friends CSA for a week, and necessity being the mother of invention and all... Here's my new favorite recipe - it's yummy.

The recipe calls for acorn squash, but I started with patty pans, and I think it would work with many kinds [ahem*] of squash.  Cut them in half and scoop out the seeds. 

Bake 35 minutes at 350º cut side down.

Meanwhile mix:
1/2 cup almonds or walnuts
1/2 cup onions
2 TBSPs margarine or butter
2 TBSP maple syrup
Dash of salt and cinammon

After 35 minutes, turn the squash over, fill with filling, and bake 25 minutes more.  That's it!  It bakes a while, but it is pretty easy to put together, and the result is a veggie dish that definitely works as a main dish rather than a side.  And did I say, it's yummy?  

I also found some exciting things to do with Butternut Squash - like these pasties.  Give it a go, you won't regret it. 

*okay, you got me.  The big one is a cucumber.  That was a surprise. I'd stick with the squash.  :)